On the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend, a National Football League head coach was fired in an unfortunate turn of events. This coach had previously been fired in the middle of a season last year as well, which makes it even more disheartening. Frank Reich, the unfortunate coach, has become the first coach in the Super Bowl era to be fired in the middle of a season in back-to-back seasons. This is a fate he does not deserve, considering the circumstances.
The Carolina Panthers’ Struggles
Frank Reich was hired to lead the Carolina Panthers and work with their future quarterback, Bryce Young. Despite missing the playoffs last year, the team had high hopes for the future. However, things have not gone as planned. The team finished last season with a record of 7-10 and has already matched that number of losses in just 11 games this year. The offense has been particularly disappointing, ranking 30th in total offense and passing yards per game. Additionally, the team has yet to win a single game on the road.
The Quarterback Situation
One of the main reasons for the Panthers’ struggles is their rookie quarterback, Bryce Young. He was drafted with high expectations, but he has not lived up to them. Compared to other rookie quarterbacks in the league, such as Will Levis and Tommy DeVito, Young has fewer wins and has not performed as well. The team had hoped that Young would be able to lead them to success, but that has not been the case so far.
The Owner’s Role
The owner of the Carolina Panthers, David Tepper, has played a significant role in the team’s recent struggles. He approved the decision to trade away their best playmaker on offense and has made questionable coaching hires. Additionally, the team’s offensive line and lack of weapons have not helped Young’s development. Tepper has already gone through multiple head coaches and interim head coaches since taking over the team in 2018, and the results have been far from impressive.
Potential Coaching Options
There have been rumors that the Panthers could pursue experienced coaches such as Bill Belichick or Nick Saban. However, it is unlikely that these coaches would be interested in the job given the instability within the organization. Other potential candidates, like Jim Harbaugh, may also be hesitant to take on the role after seeing previous coaches being let go. The owner’s behavior, including his outburst in the locker room after a recent loss, does not create an appealing environment for experienced coaches.